At the young age of 18, Red was drafted into the United States Army. Red would serve with the 417th Regiment Company E of the 76th Infantry Division, a part of the Third Army under the command of General George Patton, for 19 months, participating in two campaigns in the European theatre and enduring subhuman conditions while being held as a prisoner of war in Germany for almost two months. Despite not holding a rank, Red demonstrated valor and selflessness at the young age of 18 when he left his family, friends, and home to proudly serve his country in a foreign land.